Stamp sticking or sealing machine



(No Model.)

J. T. SHAWP STAMP STIGKING 0R SEALING MACHINE- N No. 529,141. Patented Nov. 13, 1894.

1904:1951 JZ Mm iaza NrrED STATES ATENT Enron.

JAMES TYUS SHAW, OF WAOO, TEXAS.

STAMP STICKING OR SEALING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 529,141, dated November 13, 1894. Application filed February 20, 1894. Serial No. 500,923- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

l 3e it known that I, JAMES TYUs SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waco, 1n the county of McLennan, State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Stamp Stickng or Sealing Machine, of which the following is a description and specification.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a device with a moistening pad capable of applying moisture to the mucilage of the stamps, and with a guide or way through which the stamps may be passed, and by which they are gulded to and past the moistening pad; and the invention consists in certain novel features ofconstruction whereby the devivceis made capable of easier manipulation, whereby it may be held in one hand so as to cause the stamps to make contact with the pad, thus leaving the other hand of the operator free to draw the stamps over the pad and to affix them.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my complete appliance; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3, a cross-section on the line mm of Fig. 2; Fig. 4., a detail perspective of the stamp way or guide; Fig. 5, a detail perspective of the forward end of the device, and showing the key and k ey-way whereby the moistening pad is held in place at this 0 nt; Fig. 6, a top plan view of the device.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the main or handle portion which has a fiat upper face and which may be formed of wood or metal, and which have formed integral with the handle 1 the downwardly-offset portion 2, having a plane lower face 3, and sides with curved upper edges 4, said upper edges being curved down to the front end of the plane portion 3. These sides and the bottom form a sponge receptacle or recess 5, which extends from the upper side thereof downwardly to a point near the'lower portion thereof, and thence outwardly to the front extremity of the part 2, the sides of the extended portion 2 being left intact so as to form a quadrant-shaped or segmental recess. Within this recess a sponge 6 is arranged and entirely fills the same, and so that its outer side will curve in the arc of a circle commensurate with the curve of the upper edges 4 of the offset 2. Arranged over the sponge 6 is a canvas or other fabric covering 7, which is held in place at its upper end by means of a transverse key-plate 9, fitting in a similarly-disposed slot 8, and having the end of the fabric bent around it, so that the fabric will be securely clamped in place.

The lower end of the fabric 7 is held in place at the corresponding end of the recess 5 by means of a key-plate 10, which extends transversely across the offset portion 2 and which has its ends fitted in the slots 11 of the sides thereof. The fabric or canvas is wrapped around the key-plate 10, and by that means secured in place so as to hold it at the upper end of the fabric. By these means the sponge 6 is held securely in place, and a smooth surface provided therefor. The upper side of the handle or body portion 1 is formed plane and provided at its edges with the longitudinal grooves 12. The grooves 12 are one for each side of the body portion and extend throughout the length thereof.

13 indicates a guide-plate, which is provided with downwardly and inwardly extending sides or flanges 14, respectively adapted to fit into the grooves 12, and with a main portion extending parallel with and slightly above the plane upper side of the body 1.

The plate 13 is provided with an opening 15 in the center thereof, which occupies the major portion of the plate and which is elongated longitudinally with the body 1. The ends of the plate 1.3 are arranged above the body portion so that it will be possible to in troduce stamps through them.

In the practice of my invention the stamps to be affixed should be torn into strips along the perforated lines of the usual stamp-sheets, and the sponge 6 made to absorb water sufficient to enable it to moisten the stamps when passed thereover. One strip of the stamps should now be passed in the way under the plate 13 and with the gummed sides of said stamps downward, after which the handle or body portion 1 should be grasped so that the palm of the hand will occur directly adjacent to the plate 13, and so that the thumb of said hand will be in position to press down upon the pad so as to make the stamps engage therewith. With the parts so arranged, the stamps may be drawn through the guide or plate 13 by the operators remaining hand which is free. The front extremity of the bottom portion 3 of the olfset 2, is provided with a beveled edge 16 against which the stamps may be moved so as to tear them from the strips after they have been moistened. Thus the stamps are successively drawn over the pad and torn from theircompanions by means of the edge 16, as will be understood. When once severed the stamp may be alfixed by pressing it onto the surface to which it is to be secured.

In addition to the capability of moistening stamps, the device is equally applicable to the sealing or gumming of letters. This operation is edected by reversing the apparatus so as to place pad 6 downwardly, so as'to make it possible for the pad to engage the gum med edge of the letter and moisten it sufliciently to enable it to stick thereto.

Having thus described the invention, I claim- 1. A device of the class described comprising a body having a flat lower face and consisting of a bottom portion and opposite sides, and forming a recess or receptacle open at the front and top, a moistening pad located in the recess or receptacle and presenting an outwardly and downwardly inclined exterior face, a handle extending rearward from the top of the body and upwardly offset from the lower face of the latter, and a stamp guide mounted on the upper face of the handle and extending rearward from the top of the moistening pad, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising a body portion, having a handle and pro vided in advance of the handle with adownwardly offset recess and having slots at the terminals of the latter, a moistening pad arranged in said recess, a sheet of fabric covering the moistening pad, key-plates at each end of the said sheet and having the ends wrapped around them and arranged in said slots in the offset portion, whereby the sheet is held in place, and a guide for the stamps at the upper side of the handle, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described, com prising a body having a handle, and provided in advance thereof with a downwardly offset recess, and having its front edge beveled, a moistening pad arranged in the recess, and a stamp guide located on the handle in rear of the moistening pad, substantially as de scribed.

JAMES TYUS SHAW. Witnesses:

.T. O. BIRKHEAD, L. L. KING. 

